Abstract:

Frames suitable for mounting flat panel displays are provided. The frame
is adapted to engage and secure a flat panel display. One or more flanges
on at least one side of the frame are adapted to attach to sides of an
opening within a console. Also provided are methods for mounting a flat
panel display in a frame and mounting the display and frame assembly
within a console.

Claims:

1. A device for mounting a flat panel video display to a console,
comprising:a frame adapted to engageably hold a flat panel video display,
wherein the frame includes a back panel having a first edge and a second
edge, the first edge being opposite the second edge;a first frame side
attached to the first edge; anda first flange selectively attached to the
first frame side, a surface of the first flange being adapted to
engageably attach to a console.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a flat panel video display
disposed within the frame.

3. The device of claim 1, further including a supply of selectively
attachable flanges, wherein at least two flanges in the supply are
differently sized.

4. The device of claim 3, further including a supply of selectively
attachable flanges, wherein at least two flanges in the supply are
differently shaped.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second frame side attached
to the second edge; anda second flange selectively attached to the second
frame side, a surface of the second flange being adapted to engageably
attach to an object.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the back panel includes a third edge and
a fourth edge, the third edge being opposite the fourth edge, and further
comprising a third frame side attached to the third edge, and a fourth
frame side attached to the fourth edge.

7. A console assembly, comprising:a console for housing a video display,
the console having a plurality of walls, at least one of the plurality of
console walls including an opening formed therethrough, the opening being
sized to display a flat panel video display therethrough; anda frame
assembly disposed proximate the opening, the frame assembly including:a
frame adapted to engageably hold a flat panel video display, wherein the
frame includes a back panel having a first edge and a second edge, the
first edge being opposite the second edge;a flat panel video display
disposed within the frame;a first frame side attached to the first edge;
anda first flange selectively attached to the first frame side, a surface
of the first flange being adapted to engageably attach to an object, a
surface of the first flange being adapted to engageably attach to the at
least one of the plurality of console walls adjacent the opening.

8. The device of claim 7, further including a supply of selectively
attachable flanges, wherein at least two flanges in the supply are
differently sized.

9. The device of claim 8, further including a supply of selectively
attachable flanges, wherein at least two flanges in the supply are
differently shaped.

10. The device of claim 7, further comprising a second frame side attached
to the second edge; anda second flange selectively attached to the second
frame side, a surface of the second flange being adapted to engageably
attach to an object.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein the back panel includes a third edge
and a fourth edge, the third edge being opposite the fourth edge, and
further comprising a third frame side attached to the third edge, and a
fourth frame side attached to the fourth edge.

[0003]Video displays are ubiquitous features in homes, businesses, and
public spaces, and are primarily used to provide a visual presentation
generated by, for example, personal computers, electronic kiosks, or
video games and the like. Video displays are often installed within a
housing, particularly if the video display is to be used in connection
with, for example, console casino games such as video poker. Until
relatively recently, most video displays have been of the cathode ray
tube ("CRT") type, which employs an elongated glass vacuum tube wherein
the length of the tube is proportional to the surface area of the display
screen. Thus, when using a CRT display, the larger the desired display
screen, the longer the CRT and the deeper the housing required to hold
and protect the CRT. As such, one problem associated with the use of CRTs
in consoles is the inordinately large size required of the console to
house the CRT. Another problem is the relatively large amount of
electricity required to power a CRT.

[0004]One way console manufacturers have solved the problems associated
with use of CRTs in consoles is by using flat panel displays in place of
CRTs. Traditionally used in laptop computers, console manufacturers are
increasingly using flat panel displays, such as liquid crystal displays
("LCD"), plasma, and field emission display ("FED"), as video displays
within consoles. Flat panel displays have the advantage of providing a
suitable video display within a housing of relatively shallow depth, as
well as requiring less power than a CRT. Flat panel display technology
has made possible the installation of relatively small counter-top gaming
machines, which typically further include a touch screen that allows a
user to interact with the video display screen instead of using physical
keys or buttons.

[0005]While the advent of the flat panel display has made it possible for
console manufacturers to use a lighter-weight and thinner display within
the consoles, mounting the flat panel display within a console housing
has been a continuing problem. Most flat panel displays are intentionally
designed to have as little extraneous material as possible in order to
maintain the typical slim profile of the flat panel display. This quality
of the flat panel display, however, renders direct attachment of it to
the console difficult due to the small amount of available area on the
display housing that may be attached to the console housing.
Unfortunately, many or most commercially available flat panel displays do
not further include structures that allow them to be easily mounted
within a console. Consequently, console manufacturers have encountered
difficulty when attempting to mount commercially-available flat panel
displays within console housings. There is a demand, therefore, for a
device to mount a flat panel display within a housing regardless of the
size of the flat panel display. There also exists a demand for a method
of installing a flat panel display within a housing regardless of the
size of the flat panel display. The present invention satisfies these
demands.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006]It is a principal objective of the present invention to provide a
device for mounting a flat panel video display to an object. The device
includes a frame adapted to engageably hold a flat panel video display,
wherein the frame includes a back panel having a first edge and a second
edge, the first edge being opposite the second edge. A first frame side
is attached to the first edge, and a first flange is selectively attached
to the first frame side, a surface of the first flange being adapted to
engageably attach to an object.

[0007]In other embodiments of the invention disclose, a console assembly
is provided. The console assembly includes a console for housing a video
display, the console having a plurality of walls, at least one of the
plurality of console walls including an opening formed therethrough, the
opening being sized to display a flat panel video display therethrough.
The console assembly further includes a frame assembly disposed proximate
the opening. The frame assembly includes a frame adapted to engageably
hold a flat panel video display, wherein the frame includes a back panel
having a first edge and a second edge, the first edge being opposite the
second edge; a first frame side attached to the first edge; and a first
flange selectively attached to the first frame side, a surface of the
first flange being adapted to engageably attach to an object, a surface
of the first flange being adapted to engageably attach to the at least
one of the plurality of console walls adjacent the opening.

[0008]Advantages of embodiments of the invention include providing console
manufacturers with a range of flange size options to choose from in order
to provide the best overall fit of the frame and video display assembly
within the console in which it is to be housed. This benefit eliminates
the need to manufacture numerous models of frames to offer a large
spectrum of flange size. Instead, standard frame sizes may be selectively
outfitted with the appropriate flange size. Thus, significant savings of
time and money are realized by the console manufacturers and the
suppliers of frames for flat panel displays.

[0009]Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for
mounting a flat panel video display within a console. A console is
provided for housing a flat panel video display, the console having a
plurality of walls, at least one of the console walls including an
opening disposed therethrough, the opening having adjacent surfaces and
being sized to display a flat panel video display therethrough. A frame
adapted to engageably hold the flat panel video display is provided,
wherein the frame includes a back panel having a first edge and a second
edge, the first edge being opposite the second edge; and a first frame
side attached to the first edge. The flat panel video display is disposed
within the frame. A plurality of selectively attachable flanges is
provided, wherein the plurality of selectively attachable flanges
includes at least two flanges of different size, the plurality of flanges
further includes a first portion adapted to engage the frame and a second
portion adapted to engage the console. A first flange is selected from
the plurality of selectively attachable flanges. The first portion of the
first flange is attached to the first frame side. The frame is disposed
proximate the opening, the second portion of the first flange engaging
the console surface adjacent the opening. In addition, the second portion
of the first flange is attached to the console surface adjacent the
opening.

[0010]These and other features and advantages of the present invention
will be further understood and appreciated when considered in relation to
the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, taken
in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the front aspect of a flat
panel display;

[0012]FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the rear aspect of a flat
panel display;

[0013]FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a flat panel display frame;

[0014]FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a flat panel display frame;

[0015]FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of a flat panel display frame;

[0016]FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of a back side of console having a
video display; and

[0017]FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a console having a video
display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018]The present invention relates generally to mountable frames that can
be adapted to engage a wide range of flat panel video displays regardless
of the size of the display. Embodiments of the present invention will
find application in all types of housings and consoles that are generally
used to house and hold video display screens. Without limiting the
application of the scope of the invention, the following will describe
certain preferred embodiments used in conjunction with standard LCD-type
flat panel display touch-screens suitable for installing within, for
example, a counter-top video game console.

[0019]A flat panel display 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A flat panel
display 10 will typically include a thin display screen 18 that employs
one of a number of technologies, such as, for example, LCD, plasma, and
FED. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize
that other flat panel display technologies may also be used so long as
the display is relatively thin as compared to CRT displays. The display
screen 18 may be overlaid with a touch-type device, for example, a touch
sensitive screen, or an equivalent device that is operatively connected
to electronics within the housing 12 for receiving and processing data
received from the touch screen. The display screen 18 and associated
electronics (not shown) can be housed within housing 12 or optionally
mounted on the back of the housing 12. The housing 12 includes a front
16, a back 17, a top side 15, two opposed sides 14, and a bottom side
(not shown). The back 17 of the housing 12 typically further includes
vents 20 for intake and exhaust of air used to cool the electronics
within the housing.

[0020]The back 17 of housing 12 may also include a raised portion to form
a junction housing 22, which includes four sides 33 and a face 34. The
bottom side (not shown) of junction housing 22 may include ports for data
and power. Data and power ports for use with video displays are well
known in the art, and typically include interfaces on the exterior side
of the housing 12 for connection to external power sources (generally 12
Volt direct current) and data sources, such as a computer. Inside the
housing 22, the ports are conductively coupled to the respective
components designed to receive the power or data. In this example, port
24 is an input for a touch screen; port 26 is a two-pin 12 Volt DC power
socket; port 28 is a standard 12 Volt DC power socket; port 30 is a DVI
input; and port 32 is a VGA input.

[0021]FIGS. 3-6 show a mountable frame and flat panel display assembly
100. The frame 105 is generally in the form of a shallow pan, which is
sized to receive a correspondingly-sized flat panel display 10 within the
confines of the pan. The frame may be constructed of any suitably rigid
material, such as, without limitation, sheet metal or plastic. The frame
further includes a top side 117, a bottom side 115, and two opposed sides
114. The frame 105 also includes a back 119 having a raised portion that
includes a top side 151, bottom side 154 and two opposed sides 153, which
form the junction housing cover 123. The back 119 and sides 114, 115, and
117 may be formed of a separate back piece 119 that is attached to sides
114, 115, and 117 via fasteners or welds along or near the peripheral
edges of the back 119. Alternatively, the back 119 and sides 114, 115,
and 117 may be formed of a single unitary piece of sheet metal that is
subsequently bent to form the overall pan structure; adjacent sides are
then typically attached to one another by fasteners or welds. Flanges 140
are selectively attached to opposed sides 114 respectively.

[0022]The junction housing cover 123, when viewed from the interior of the
frame 105, is a recess in the back 119 of the frame 105, which is
positioned and sized to mount over a corresponding junction housing 22 on
the rear side 17 of a flat panel display 10. The junction housing cover
123 includes a top side 151, a bottom side 154, and two opposed sides
153. The bottom side 154 of the junction housing cover 123 may include
one or more holes 124, 126, 128, 130, 132 positioned and sized to receive
correspondingly positioned and sized ports 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 on the
junction housing 22 of the flat panel display 10, and through which holes
the ports may project. The junction housing cover 123 may be either
integral to the frame 105, or formed of a separate piece that is
subsequently secured to the frame 105 by fasteners.

[0023]Preferred embodiments of the frame include flanges 140 that are
generally L-shaped, each having two longitudinal members 160, 162
approximately perpendicular to one another. However, one of ordinary
skill in the art will readily appreciate that other flange
configurations, such as, for example, U-shaped flange configurations, may
also be used without departing from the scope of the invention. The
flanges 140 may be made of the same or different material than the frame
105. The flanges 140 may also be bonded to the frame 105, or attached to
the frame by fasteners, such as screws and the like.

[0024]In a preferred embodiment, the flanges are selectively attachable to
the frame to allow the manufacturer to select from a variety of flange
sizes and configurations to attach to the frame in order to accommodate
installation of the frame into consoles of various sizes. As such,
another embodiment includes a supply of differently-sized and
differently-shaped flanges from which a manufacturer may select an
appropriate flange for attachment to the frame.

[0025]A top surface of longitudinal member 160 of flange 140 has holes 142
disposed therethrough through which fasteners, such as screws or nails,
may be driven to secure the flange to another object, such as a console.
In addition, a side longitudinal member 162 of flange 140 has holes 141
disposed therethrough. Holes 141 on side longitudinal member 162
correspond to holes (not shown) on the sides 114 of the frame 105. Holes
141 and corresponding holes (not shown) on the sides 114 of the frame 105
are sized to receive fasteners therethrough.

[0026]To install a flat panel display 10 within a frame 105, the rear side
17 of the flat panel display 10 is inserted into an appropriately sized
frame 105. The junction housing 22 is seated in the interior of junction
housing cover 123 such that ports 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 project through
corresponding holes 124, 126, 128, 130, 132 on the bottom side 154 of the
junction housing cover 123. Or, if the junction housing cover 123 is
formed of a separate piece, the flat panel display is first inserted into
an appropriately sized frame 105 having an opening disposed in the back
thereof through which the junction housing 22 may project, and the
junction housing cover 123 is subsequently fitted over the junction
housing 22 and attached to the back of the frame 105.

[0027]Screws may be driven through holes 141 on the side longitudinal
members 162 of the flanges 140, and through corresponding holes (not
shown) on the sides 114 of the frame 105, thereby securing the frame 105
to the flanges 140. Screws may be driven through hole 146 and
corresponding hole (not shown) on the frame side 114 to secure the frame
105 to the flat panel display 10. In the alternative, the flat panel
display 10 maybe mounted within the frame 105 by way of a mounting
bracket (not shown), in which case it is unnecessary to attach the flat
panel display to the frames via fasteners through holes 141.

[0028]Once the flat panel display is mounted within the frame and flange
assembly, it may be installed within a console. As best shown in FIG. 7,
a console 200 typically includes a housing 202 that supports and
positions the flat panel display and frame assembly 204, and protects the
electronics (not shown) that are operatively connected to the video
display 100. If the console is designed for gaming, it may further
include a mechanism for receiving payment 206.

[0029]The video display 100 may be mounted in the console 200 from the
either the console interior or exterior. In either case, the console
should optimally include an opening 208 sufficient to receive the flat
panel display and frame assembly 204, yet sized to allow longitudinal
members 160 of flanges 140 to contact surfaces adjacent the opening 208.
If the assembly 204 is being installed from the interior of the console
200, the longitudinal members 160 of flanges 140 will contact interior
surfaces (not shown) adjacent the opening 208; likewise, if the assembly
is being installed from the exterior of the console 200, the longitudinal
members 160 of flanges 140 will contact exterior surfaces adjacent the
opening 208. Also, in either case, a selection of flange 140 size and
shape is made prior to installation in order to optimize installation of
the flat panel display and frame assembly 204 within a particular console
200.

[0030]To secure the assembly to the console, fasteners are driven through
holes 142 disposed through longitudinal members 160 of the flanges 140,
and into the console 200. Thereafter, the flat panel display 100 is
operatively connected to power and data inputs via ports 24, 26, 28, 30,
and/or 32 that are projecting through holes 124, 126, 128, 130, and/or
132 respectively. To the extent a console 200 is a console having a CRT
display and is being retrofitted with a flat panel display and frame
assembly 204, the CRT is first removed, then the assembly is installed
within the console 200 as described herein.

[0031]While endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention
to those features of the invention believed to be of particular
importance it should be understood that the Applicants claim protection
in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features
hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not
particular emphasis has been placed thereon. While the apparatus and
method herein disclosed forms a preferred embodiment of this invention,
this invention is not limited to that specific apparatus and method, and
changes can be made therein without departing from the scope of this
invention, which is defined in the appended claims.